Posted on 06/30/2026 4:26:55 AM PDT by marktwain
Victor Davis Hanson’s defense of the Second Amendment is not merely academic. In a Dec. 6, 2025 episode of Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words, the historian and Hoover Institution senior fellow recalled a late-night confrontation at his family farm that he says permanently shaped his view of armed self-defense. The episode was published under the title “Why Alvin Bragg Refuses To Recognize the Awesome Power of the Second Amendment.”
Hanson is best known as a classicist, military historian, and conservative public intellectual. The Hoover Institution has described him as the author or editor of 24 books and hundreds of articles, editorials, and book reviews. But in the episode, Hanson’s argument for the right to keep and bear arms turned on something more personal than scholarship: a night in 1987 when, according to Hanson, three men threatened him and his family.
If people can protect themselves, they are less dependent on the state criminal justice system. If people can protect themselves, it is not as important if the criminal justice system decides who is worthy of protection and who is not. People have a chance to protect themselves. In short, Hanson tells us that more power in the hands of individuals means less power in the hands of the State. He admonishes Alvin Bragg and pointedly tells him this is the purpose of the Second Amendment.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
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There wasn't any Winchester 1892 pump action shotgun.
... recalled a late-night confrontation at his family farm that he says permanently shaped his view of armed self-defense.
Prof Hanson discussion on the Second Amendment!
FR Index of his articles: Victor Davis Hanson on FR
Town Hall: Victor Davis Hanson on Town Hall
American Greatness: Victor Davis Hanson on American Greatness
His website: Victor Davis Hanson The Sword of Perseus
One of his sponsors' website: The Daily Signal
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More than 30 minutes later, the police showed up. Officially they said he should not have done what he did. Unofficially, they told him he did the right thing. Later the police department contacted him, informed him one of the three had just been released from prison, but they could not prosecute because the three denied doing anything, and they did not find any firearm.
So if you commit a crime, then deny doing anything, it is OK to let you off scott free?
And this was detective-ing in the 1980's ... how bad is California now?
You should write him and inform him. He would appreciate it.
Bfl
I am a huge VDH supporter, and pray everyday for his health.
The home defense story seems odd to me. Why would burglars throw rocks at an upper level window if they intended to rob the place? Wouldn’t robbers likely knock on the door? Forcing the bad guys away from the house at gunpoint moves the threat away from the house and family, which is a smart move. I can believe that he took a stand with his 1897, but I can’t believe that he forced them at gunpoint to push their car 1/4 mile while he has the keys. Ignition locks on steering columns were on most cars in 1987-88. He is correct about the hammer/pump issue. The 1897 has no trigger disconnector, so if the trigger is held back, the shotgun will fire as soon as the action is pumped forward and locked into battery. Sorry, had more than the usual amount of coffee already.
I used an unloaded single shot, bolt action 410 shotgun, to shut down 3 black guys and make them walk my stuff back to my car.
At least he had the right tool for the job.
A 12-gauge shotgun makes a most compelling argument.
The home defense story seems odd to me.
Memory is not perfect & the event happened a long time ago. I wouldn’t worry about the details too much.
“I wouldn’t worry about the details too much.”
You’re right. My mind gets carried away when I hear about scenarios like this. (like the McClosky’s in St. Louis). Whatever happened, I’m glad he’s still here.
To be certain if anybody is home willing to defend the place? "Knowing" that the place is undefended would change how they operate. Thugs aren't usually the sharpest knives in the drawer.
Now that's a loosely calculated risk.
Some won't like my comment:
The statement itself suggests that he had. A normal person doesn't think in such a manner. Very odd.
(fire away /s)
Hanson should denied doing anything... hey why not? Wo4ks for the person evidently.
I’m not gonna doubt the man as I believe he has enough solid conservative integrity to not lie
They know the owners have no recourse (in that particular state). If owners had the option of using lethal force to protect property, that crime would vanish.
That was one hell of an interesting discussion about how people are generating AI fakes of Hanson’s podcasts. It’s something I’ve been concerned about with my writings if they become better known. Fame does have its challenges.
I’ve tried contacting Hanson with no success (even sent him a paper letter to Hoover), as there are two things he’s touched upon that are far more critical than he realizes which I have addressed in my ecological work. I’d hate like hell seeing him die before coming to understand it as I’d really prefer somebody else popularizing the principles involved.
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